[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 197 (Thursday, October 9, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 59491-59493]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-23643]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (DOT)

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-1067; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-052-AD; 
Amendment 39-15688; AD 2008-21-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Hawker Beechcraft Corporation Model 390 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Hawker Beechcraft Corporation Model 390 airplanes. This AD 
requires you to modify the cabin barometric pressure switch and cabin 
altitude high switch installations and perform a functional test of the 
switches and related systems. This AD results from the possibility of 
barometric pressure switch electrical connections being incorrectly 
connected or inadvertently disconnected. We are issuing this AD to 
modify the cabin barometric pressure switch and cabin altitude high 
switch to prevent them from becoming incorrectly connected or 
inadvertently disconnected, which may result in no CABIN ALT HI 
annunciation in the cockpit and no automatic deployment of the cabin 
oxygen masks. This failure could lead to incapacitation of the crew due 
to hypoxia with possible inability to control the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on October 20, 2008.
    On October 20, 2008, the Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this 
AD.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by December 8, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this AD.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    To get the service information identified in this AD, contact 
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-0085; 
telephone: (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-3140; http://pubs.hawkerbeechcraft.com.
    To view the comments to this AD, go to http://www.regulations.gov. 
The docket number is FAA-2008-1067; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-052-
AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erik Brown, Aerospace Engineer, 
Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, 
Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4132; fax: (316) 946-4107.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We received reports of three occurrences of incorrectly connected 
barometric pressure switches on Hawker Beechcraft Corporation Model 390 
airplanes. This issue was discovered when an unannunciated cabin 
altitude high event occurred on one of the affected airplanes. Because 
the electrical connections of the barometric switches are identical, 
they have the potential of being incorrectly connected. Also, the wire 
cannot be positively secured to the switch, and it may become 
inadvertently disconnected. Either condition could cause loss of 
ability to annunciate a cabin altitude high condition.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in no CABIN ALT HI 
annunciation in the cockpit and no automatic deployment of the cabin 
oxygen masks. This failure could lead to incapacitation of the crew due 
to hypoxia with possible inability to control the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Hawker Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 21-
3899, issued: May 2008. The service information describes procedures 
for modifying the cabin barometric pressure switch and cabin altitude 
high switch installations and performing a functional test of the 
switches and related systems.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of this AD

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the information and 
determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist 
or develop on other products of the same type design. This AD requires 
you to modify the cabin barometric pressure switch and cabin altitude 
high switch installations and perform a functional test of the switches 
and related systems.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because 
occurrences of incorrectly connected barometric switches have been 
reported. Also, the terminal used on the switches may be inadvertently 
dislodged while performing airplane maintenance in the pedestal area. A 
potential consequence of an incorrectly connected or dislodged 
barometric switch is no CABIN ALT HI annunciation in the cockpit and no 
automatic deployment of the cabin oxygen masks. This failure could lead 
to incapacitation of the crew due to hypoxia with possible inability to 
control the airplane. Therefore, we determined that notice and 
opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable 
and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in fewer 
than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and an opportunity for 
public comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, 
or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2008-1067; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-052-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD. We will consider 
all comments received by the closing date and may amend the AD in light 
of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each

[[Page 59492]]

substantive verbal contact we receive concerning this AD.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct 
effect on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
    (3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket that contains the AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket 
Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) 
is located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR Part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for Part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2008-21-04 Hawker Beechcraft Corporation: Amendment 39-15688; Docket 
No. FAA-2008-1067; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-052-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective on October 20, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model 390 airplanes, serial numbers RB-1 
and RB-4 through RB-238, that are certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD is the result of reported occurrences of incorrectly 
connected barometric switches. Also, the terminal used on the 
switches may be inadvertently dislodged while performing airplane 
maintenance in the pedestal area. We are issuing this AD to modify 
the cabin barometric pressure switch and cabin altitude high switch 
to prevent them from becoming incorrectly connected or inadvertently 
disconnected, which may result in no CABIN ALT HI annunciation in 
the cockpit and no automatic deployment of the cabin oxygen masks. 
This failure could lead to incapacitation of the crew due to hypoxia 
with possible inability to control the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless 
already done:

 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Action                   Compliance          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Modify the cabin barometric   Within 25 hours     Follow Hawker
 pressure switch and cabin         time-in-service     Beechcraft
 altitude high switch              (TIS) after         Mandatory Service
 installations.                    October 20, 2008    Bulletin SB 21-
                                   (the effective      3899, original
                                   date of this AD)    issue, dated May
                                   or within 30 days   2008.
                                   after October 20,
                                   2008 (the
                                   effective date of
                                   this AD),
                                   whichever occurs
                                   first.
(2) Perform a functional test of  Before further      Following Part I--
 the switches and related          flight after the    Ground Test
 systems:                          modification of     Method paragraph
(i) If, before the effective       the cabin           3, Accomplishment
 date of this AD, you did the      barometric          Instructions of
 flight test method in Part II     pressure switch     Hawker Beechcraft
 of the Accomplishment             and cabin           Mandatory Service
 Instructions of the service       altitude high       Bulletin SB 21-
 bulletin referenced in the        switch              3899 original
 Procedures column of this         installations       issue, dated May
 paragraph, then the action of     specified in        2008.
 paragraph (e)(2) of this AD is    paragraph (e)(1)
 not required provided it was      of this AD.
 done after the modification
 required in paragraph (e)(1) of
 this AD.
(ii) After the effective date of
 this AD, the flight test method
 described in paragraph
 (e)(2)(i) of this AD is
 prohibited.
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[[Page 59493]]

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (f) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to 
ATTN: Erik Brown, Aerospace Engineer, Wichita ACO, 1801 Airport 
Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-4132; 
fax: (316) 946-4107. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane 
to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal 
inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), 
or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (g) You must use Hawker Beechcraft Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 
21-3899, original issue, dated May 2008, to do the actions required 
by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, P.O. Box 85, Wichita, Kansas 67201-
0085; telephone: (800) 429-5372 or (316) 676-3140; http://pubs.hawkerbeechcraft.com.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at 
the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-
741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 30, 2008.
John Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-23643 Filed 10-8-08; 8:45 am]
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